Man jailed for 18 years for child sex offences

Austin was found guilty of multiple sex offences at a trial last month

A man has been jailed for 18 years after being found guilty of multiple child sex offences in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Andrew Austin, 62, of The Spinney in Trowbridge, was found guilty of rape, indecent assault and child cruelty offences after a trial last month.

He was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on Friday, after the court heard he sexually abused two young children on multiple occasions.

“Austin’s offending was completely abhorrent – these were appalling crimes which the victims continue to carry with them decades later," said Det Con Simon Rogers, of Wiltshire Police.

As well as the custodial sentence, Austin was issued with a sexual harm prevention order and placed on the sex offenders register, police said.

Det Con Rogers added: “Both victims felt that nobody believed them at the time but I hope that this court result will bring them some form of closure.

“I would like to thank the victims for their bravery in coming forward to the police which enabled us to secure this conviction and ensure this dangerous man is behind bars.”